The few optimists out there who thought Ohio State could upset Illinois on its home floor and stop its freefall were sorely mistaken.
The Buckeyes trailed by double digits for the final 14 minutes of play. After OSU allowed Nebraska and Northwestern to hit a combined 53.3% of their three-point attempts, Illinois shot 51.7% from the field and 41.2% from distance against Ohio State.
Ultimately, the Buckeyes just looked overmatched, falling to the Fighting Illini 87-75.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | FINAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| #14 ILLINOIS | 41 | 46 | 87 |
| OHIO STATE | 34 | 41 | 75 |
After a cold 1-of-7 shooting start, star Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr.